Christian Film Database

The Christian Film Database website now has Spirits Among Us listed. Praise the Lord for that! Seriously, praise the Lord. I did not promote my movie to the CFDB staff, they came across the movie at one of the retail outlets and wanted to add it to the database. It is exciting to see God's hand in this movie. I pray that I will continue to understand and follow His direction for each movie I produce.

Everyone has their Ark to Build

We watched "Evan Almighty" last night. That movie has some good, and Biblically sound insights. As I watched the movie I realized that we probably each have our own "Ark" to build. Evan, like Noah, decided to embark on a very difficult task which took him away from his own plans, exposed him to ridicule from everyone, and had no guarantee to be necessary at all. He did this all simply because God told him to, so he did what he knew God wanted him to do. I think God has plans for all of us, and some of them will put our love of Him to the test.

At this point I should explain that the photograph is of me holding up what is probably my first of several "arks." Not everyone thought I was completely sane when I took precious time away from my successful engineering career, and most of my recreation time, to start a career making Christian movies. Making movies for God is considerably easier (and easier to explain) than building a huge boat in the middle of a desert, but it is definitely not "the easy way out" for me. It is simply what I know God wants me to do, so I do it. My movie is now in distribution, I have a handful of packaged copies to prove it, and it is available for sale or rent at various outlets. This is very exciting and encouraging to me. I believe you can detect some level of enthusiasm in the photo.

It was hard work for me, but God is making it fruitful.

Right now people can rent it at NetFlix or buy it from PopularChristian. I will post links for the other sites when they get there copies.

Worldwide Exposure for SAU

While doing a search to see where my movie is popping up on the internet, the most interesting one I found was on a site in the czech republic! Here is the link if you want to see http://www.sms.cz/film/spirits_among_us

Maybe someone can add a movie review to the site, in czech.

Big Deal

It may not be a big deal to anyone else, but getting my first royalty check from the distributor of Spirits Among Us was a HUGE deal to me. I know it is not a good enough movie to bring me fame and fortune. However, it does give me some credibility as a producer/director, it does appear it will bring in a fair amount of money, and most importantly it puts a Christ-centered message in front of viewers. To have produced a Christ-centered movie that will actually be seen by people across the nation is a dream come true. To get paid is a bonus!

Achievement of this milestone has further convinced me that I was designed for making Christian movies for a living, and helping others to do the same.

My next steps are to finish forming my team of advisors, forming a team to help plan events and productions, and make plans to have the first DGW/Yeshua Media sponsored event for Christians who wish to serve God through media. These are big steps, thankfully God has been making my legs longer.

Coming Soon

I just re-mastered the dvd for Spirits Among Us. I had to add the logos for the distributor. While I was at it I decided to fix a few little nitpicky sound problems and enhance one scene. So now, I really am through editing the movie. I've been "through with editing" several times. I sent them artwork and taglines and such a couple weeks back. They are putting together the dvd sleeves and other promotional artwork. The photo here is of the preliminary dvd sleeve.
The plan is to release the movie in January 2009. I'm archiving all the movies files on hard drives, so soon I will actually be through with that project and moving on to the next. I look forward to doing the next movie, I just don't know what it will be just yet. Oh, and I think I will have another showing of Spirits Among Us for those who could not make the premiere and have not seen it yet.
I love the movie making business. When I am doing any work related to movies I feel alive. I feel like I am in the right place doing the thing I was designed to do. I hope I get to make a living at it in the future.

Nice People

It is great to have nice people in my life. The photo is of the decoration placed on top of the cake that was made for the premiere party for Spirits Among Us. The mother of Mary Sarah (youngest cast member in the movie) and their friend made the cake, and Mary Sarah made the little clay figure of the director (me). I just thought this was the nicest thing. It is great to have nice people in my life. If you don't have any, I recommend finding some, because they make life better.

Worldwide Distribution

Well, Spirits Among Us has now been distributed worldwide! I met with my client here in Thailand and gave him a copy of the "director's release" dvd. I will also be giving a copy to my business associate and friend who I will meet with today. A third copy will go to someone here, but I don't know who just yet.

Although it is a huge exaggeration to say that handing out a couple of copies equates to "worldwide distribution," I am excited that I am able to spread God's message through my movie to people all around the world. I am finishing the contract details for my distribution agreement, which really will result in worldwide distribution-which is great, Praise the Lord.

It is very pleasing to me that I can serve the Lord through Christian media. It is a dream come true. If He arranges it so I can make a living at it someday, that would be icing on the cake-or gravy on the potatoes, whichever analogy you prefer.

The photo is of Mary Sarah with Mr. Rumples at the movie premiere. Photo taken by Jodi, thanks Jodi.